“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe that his is a noble calling."

The great blizzard of 1888, which began March 12th, 1888, created a condition which made it almost impossible for the department to respond to fire alarms & resulted in such an incongruous situation as a 3rd alarm fire raging through 2 5 story buildings on West 42nd Street with only 3 pieces of apparatus on the scene.

21 inches of snow fell in under 24 hours with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour.

During the 1st 5 days of practically impassable streets, there were 45 fires. The situation was such as to call for extra-ordinary efforts on the part of the Uniformed Force under Chief of Department Charles O Shay, who promptly took all possible precautions. Leaves of absence were suspended, a large number of horses & sleighs of all kinds were obtained & a special corps of telegraph linemen was put at work restoring the fire alarm system.

A testimonial of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters commended the "heroic efforts of the firemen -- in so successfully coping with almost insurmountable difficulties during the period of peril to the City".

At 3:14pm on Saint Patrick's Day in 1899, the Signal Station at 5th Avenue & 46th Street was received & transmitted by the Manhattan Fire Alarm Office.

Firemen, some still in their dress uniforms from the parade, made heroic rescues.

Within 2 minutes, Engine 65, the 1st due company was stretching in to the 5th Avenue entrance of the Windsor Hotel, which occupied the block front from 46th to 47th Streets. 5th Avenue was filled with the holiday crowd & there does not seem to have been any long delay in pulling hte box, and yet when Engine 65 turned into the Avenue, people were already jumping from the upper floor windows.

The fire, which had started in the basement, spread with lightening like rapidity until the entire building occupied by the hotel was involved as well as buildings on the side streets. By 5pm, the building was a complete loss.

50-90 people lost their lives in this fire & rescues were made. For the skill & daring of the work which they performed, Firemen William C Clark & Edward Ford of Ladder 20, Bartholomew McDermott of Ladder 21 were decorated & the names of 28 members were added to the Roll of Merit.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island man who allegedly jumped from a moving ambulance is suing the city for allowing the incident to take place.

Yaugeni Kralkin, 54, who admitted in court papers that he had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident, claims the responding emergency medical technicians (EMTs), acted in "an unprofessional manner," the legal claim states.

He is suing the city, the city Fire Department and the responding EMTs in Staten Island Supreme Court for unspecified damages.

According to court papers, Kralkin was allegedly found by the EMTs on June 11, at about 1:05 p.m. "sitting on the ground, uninjured, with unsteady gait" outside 106 Dawson Circle in Bulls Head.

"Police removed alcohol from (Kralkin's) bag, and escorted him to the ambulance because he was being uncooperative," the court papers say.

As we move into the cold season, activity for the FDNY always picks up. This past week, companies responded to all sorts of incidents requiring hard work and special units. Let's look back at what happened in the Big Apple:

Wednesday October 26th, 2016 was a significantly cold day when compared to others this October.

Confined Space, Brooklyn, NY - Just before 1pm, Brooklyn CO transmitted box 3241 for the Coney Island Wastewater Treatement Plant at 2602 Knapp Street. A worker fell into a treatment tank. FDNY deployed divers into the contaminated tank and recovered the male. EMS performed CPR and transported. The male was pronounced dead at the hospital. This was a confined space water rescue requiring decontamination of members operating.

Queens House Fire - As the Brooklyn Incident was wrapping up, Box 8903 in Queens was transmitted for a house fire. The Vipers Nest Eng.302/Lad 155 arrived 1st due to 2 floors of fire in a private dwelling. FF Gerard McManus, TL-155 gained entry to the rear of 133-05 140 Street and conducted a search for fire when he discovered a male prone on the floor. FF McManus single handedly removed the victim to the awaiting EMS. The EMS members sucessfully revived the man who is last listed in stable condition at the hospital.

1800hrs, the day tour of the FDNY ends and night tour begins. With what started as a regular tour became filled with fire in the wee hours of the morning on the Upper East Side/Yorkville section of Manhattan. 5am tone alarm in the firehouse sends companies with Engine 53/Ladder 43 1st due to 324 E 93rd Street for a fire. Upon arrival, fire was found on multiple floors traveling through the walls. Early reports were fire Basement, 1st floor and visible from the bulkhead. With a fire traveling the voids in the walls, it is extremely important to open the roof to see how far the fire has advanced. While members from Ladders 26 & 43 & Rescue 1 were operating on the roof, a victim appeared at a rear window. Conventional methods of rescue were hampered by rapidly extending fire, leaving the roof members to attempt a life saving rescue using the Life Saving Rope. Conditions on the roof were poor visiblity with smoke, high heat and visible flames, but a life needed to be rescued. While the roof men & Ladder Company Chaufeur looking for a susbstantial object to secure the rope operation, FF Lee, Rescue 1, secured himself into the lowering end of the rope. As if the smoke/heat/fire wasn't enough of a challenge, it was determined no substantial object was present in this non-fireproof building The members on the roof would have to work together to secure the operation with no substantial object, putting all members in the operation as well as the member being lowered off the building at great risk. FF Lee was lowered off the rear of the building but the guide man on the roof could not keep an eye to guide the operation due to the smoke and heat, so a member was positioned in the rear relaying commands via handie talkie. When FF Lee with victim aboard reached the ground, the rope broke from exposure to the high heat. All members and the victim had a higher power following them during this operation to allow it to end like this. Unfortunately, 1 victim was located inside the fire who was pronounced dead on arrival.

The FDNY handled additional fires including a 2 Alarm fire at a duplex apartment in the Village, Scrap yard in Queens, a garage on Oceanview Ave in Brooklyn, a junkyard in Hunts Point and another house in Queens on 110 Rd off 153 St.

Have you heard of the Tear Drop Memorial, or the Tear of Grief? This is a 10 story scuplture given to the United States as an Official Gift of the Russian Government as a memorial to the victims of 9/11 attacks and the 93 WTC Bombing. Groundbreaking on this monument was done September 16th 2005 at the Cruise Ship Terminal in Bayonne, NJ. The ground breaking was attended by Vladimir Putin and it was dedicated September 11, 2006.

It is 10 stories, 100ft made of steel coated in bronze, split with a jagged opening through the middle. Inside the opening hangs a large nickel teardrop 40ft high. Along the base is granite name plates on which are etched the names of those who died in the 2 attacks on 9/11/01 and 1993 WTC Bombing.

The view from the memorial park is one of a kind. From the south looking up towards Manhattan, You can watch the Statue of Liberty, WTC, Memorial Lights & Empire State Building, all in 1 shot.

The location of the monument is not easy to get to, it is at the end of the cruise terminal with nothing else around. If there is no ship at port, you'll feel as if you don't belong there. But, in my opinion, it is definately worth the trip!

You have heard many stories about the heroic acts on 9/11, but did you hear about the mysterious man in the red bandana? Welles Crowther was working as an American Equities trader on 9/11/01 at the World Trade Center. Truth be told, the 24 year old wasn't looking forward to a desk job for the rest of his life. He had further dreams, and plenty of time to fulfill them. When he turned 16, Welles joined the Volunteer Fire Service, joining the footsteps of his father at Nyack Empire Hook & Ladder company.

At the age of 6, Welles' father gave him a red bandana which stayed with him through the years. It became his signature trademark, a link between father and son. While playing lacrosse at Boston College, Welles wore his bandana under his helmet. In 1999, he graduated with honors degree in economics, which led to his career at the World Trade Center; his office was on the 104th floor of the South Tower. At 9:03am on September 11th, 2001, United flight 175 struck the South Tower between floors 78 & 85. Welles called his mother at 9:12am and left a calm message assuring his family he was OK. He fought the smoke and flames down to the 78th floor sky lobby, where he found survivors. Crowther left his trading career in his office and his firefighting bloodlines took over. He was ready to do his job, the calling that was sent for him at a young age. In an authoritive voice, he directed ambulatory patients to the A stairway which he previously descended from his office. He used his red bandana to cover his nose and mouth, and was carrying a woman down 15 flights. Welles job wasn't done, knowing the danger his life was in, he put it aside and went back up to rescue more.

In May, the New York Times published accounts of 9/11 which Welles' parents were reading. 1 account stood out. Judy Wein, a survivor from the South Tower noted a mysterious man in a red bandana coming to the aide of numerous people. His parents knew immediately, they found what their son was doing before he died.

December 15th, 2006, Commissioner Scoppetta and Chief Cassano posthumously named Welles Crowther Honorary Firefighter with the FDNY. Following Welles' death, his family found a partially filled out application to take the test for the FDNY. Knowing it would be a huge pay cut, Welles' still planned to follow his dream.

Everyone deals with depression in their own way. As the anniversary of 9/11 quickly approaches, I would like to share my story of dealing with PTSD, and I manage it every anniversary.

I only worked at the site for a day on 9/12/01, and what I saw will stay with me forever. I can remember 9/11/02 was a restless day and very depressing. On 9/11/03, I decided not to sit around and cry, so I drove into Brooklyn. I found a park in Brooklyn Heights that had a great view of Lower Manhattan. There were a lot of other New Yorkers there, candles were lit and we just watched our City and the skyline that will never be the same. I had a camera with me, in the early 2000's, digital cameras were up and coming. So I took a few pictures. Little did I know, this was me dealing with my PTSD. I was still depressed but I managed to find something to occupy my night and kind of keep me occupied. 9/11/04, I ended up doing the same thing and to this day, I plan accordingly. Since I became an FDNY Firefighter, I got creative. I spent a lot of money on a good camera. During the day I spend the anniversary with my firehouse family as we remember everyone who was lost from the firehouse that day. At night, I do the same thing I did on 9/11/03. 9/11/13, I reached out to a friend on the Fire Boat and they took me out around Manhattan. 9/11/14 & 9/11/15, I went to New Jersey.

While I have plenty of pictures, I will continue the tradition. What took place on that day was nothing but the best of the FDNY and the Country's Fire Service. Members in different capacities gave it their all. Some were working, some weren't. Some were retired, working at the WTC as Fire Safety Directors, others were on injury at Headquarters and still responded. Retired members from home who didn't have to come out, did. An actor/former FDNY Firefighter turned the cameras off and went to his former firehouse to help. On 9/11/01, I responded as a volunteer from Long Island, I met a lot of other members from departments in NY, NJ and across the country.

Below are pictures I have taken. There are 3 pictures that I took from 2003 at the park. We lost members right after 9/11 to PTSD suicide. I wish I could turn back the clock and tell them, there is another way, but I understand their pain.... we all do. If anyone struggles, the FDNY CTU is there for you. Don't deal with it alone, because your not.

15 years ago, on September 11th, 2001, the United States of America took a terrorist hit from radical extremists. This event was felt worldwide; and as a Country- we saw the best and the worst humanity has to offer. Through tragedy, the good hearts stood out and shined brightly. From 1st responders to volunteers, whether it was every day civilians to medical professionals, we all rose to the occation. Funds were set up, musicians and celebrities put on a concert to raise money (The Concert for America). It was a time when we united to recover and respond. Through the dust and rubble rose the stars and stripes, a symbol that we will not back down.

15 years later, we are still recovering. There are many out there that do not realize, hearts are still sore. Our brothers/sisters/mothers/fathers are still dying, many others suffering and fighting cancer and other various illnesses. A dose of reality, that you *hopefully* will never feel, is when you go to the Cancer Center and see friends/co-workers there. That is what is happening today! More than 150 NYC Firefighters have lost their lives to post-9/11 illness. Many are actively fighting. Some recieved their date of death from the doctors but are still here because they refuse to give up.

In a sense, the nightmare that was 9/11/01 is still happening. I feel the need to write this because, perhaps Facebook has changed something in their marketing scheme, or there really are sneaky people out there that see money in tragedy. Over the past few weeks, I have seen advertising posts from pages I have not 'liked' on Facebook, advertising a 9/11 15th Anniversary t-shirt. An Anniversary t-shirt is a great idea, to keep the memory alive, provided the motive behind the shirt is respectable ie: Proceeds to a foundation so that they may reach those who lived the tragedy and are fighting to live. Unfortunately, we know many people who have questioned some of these fly-by-night pages on facebook and our questions go unanswered/deleted, our accounts are banned from the page. This is called Damage Control by those running the page, deleting the negativity. They avoid the spotlight and continue doing what their doing.

We are asking you, if you really are enthusiastic about seeing an awesome looking t-shirt commemorating one of our worst attacks on our home soil, please do your research. Don't open your wallet so quickly. Inquire where the money is going. DO NOT accept a vague reply. Get specifics. The page 'Support Firefighters' has a 9/11 anniversary t-shirt.... but it is a design that is already out there. Go to www.fdnyshop.com and you will find the original design. www.fdnyshop.com is an official page of the FDNY Foundation, a legit foundation that is there helping FDNY firefighters, and the facebook page 'Support Firefighters' took the design and changed minor details and are marketing it on-line.

Facebook will not shut their page down, it is up to us to look into it. Please share this article, spread the word.

December 2015, Engine 329 in Rockaway Beach, Queens took delivery of their new 2nd piece, an All Terrain Response Vehicle (ATRV). This 2015 Ford F-550 pick-up truck was fitted with aftermarket compartments and added hose bed. The apparatus does not have pumping capabilities, it is basically a large manifold that will be supplied by an Engine Company.

It has 4-wheel drive capabilities along with a central tire inflation system allowing the operator to inflate/deflate the tires on the move without leaving the cab. It also has a winch that can be operated from front and rear of the vehicle.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel 2 Towers foundation is once again looking to step up in support for Dallas Police officers who were ambushed, killing 5 injuring 12. COO John Hodge announced the foundation set their goal for $5 million to go to the families of the 5 killed officers as well as the 12 officers who were injured. This isn't the foundations 1st time stepping up for Police Officers, in 2014 they raised $1.2 million for the families of NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos who were ambushed while sitting in their RMP in Brooklyn. The funds paid of the mortgages of the slain officers homes to help ease the burdon on the family.

Tunnel 2 Towers foundation was founded by the family and friends of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life on 9/11/01. On that day, Siller selflessly gave his life and was determined to do so. He let nothing stop him from responding to the World Trade Center, ditching his vehicle in Brooklyn, grabbing his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. The Tunnel 2 Towers foundation follows their inspiration and won't let anything get in their way of helping others. Every year they host a large well known run/walk following the footsteps of Stephen Siller through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center. Some run, some walk, some wearing firefighting gear and some not. But it isn't a race, it's to keep Stephen's memory alive and he would have been proud of where this foundation has been and where they are going.

To donate call 1-844-BRAVEST or visit www.tunnel2towers.org or https://www.crowdrise.com/t2tfordallas

2 off duty NYC employee's give another NYC employee a 2nd chance at life. While on duty, a NYC DEP employee was driving in Midland Beach, Staten Island when they suffered a heart attack, and went into cardiac arrest. The DEP Toyota Prius veered out of control and into a parked car at the intersection of Greeley Ave & Rudyard St.

2 super heroes swopped in and took control. Off Duty Firefighter Mark Gonzalez, E-310 and an off duty NYPD Officer, both were in the area and took swift action. After failed attempts to gain access inside the vehicle, Mark took a tire iron and broke the rear window then unlocked the doors. The male was removed from the vehicle and both worked as a team, performing 2 rescuer CPR on the unconscious male. EMS arrived and took over patient care/transport. As of 10pm last night, the NYPD confirmed the male's condition was listed as critical in Intensive Care. The quick actions by FF Gonzalez and the NYPD Officer, providing immediate care shaved seconds off the victims Golden Hour, potentially giving him many more years provided a full recovery. The chance is there because of their actions.

A search of famous firefighting quotes will turn up Edward F Croker at the top. Croker sure had his way words for the fire service, but who was he?

Edward Franklin Croker was appointed to the FDNY on June 22nd, 1884. He was only 21 years of age. Just shy of 50 days on the job, Croker was promoted to Assistant Foreman (Lieutenant), and again, another promotion a mear few months later to Foreman (Captain) of Engine 1. Croker's uncle, Richard Croker, was Fire Commissioner from 1883 - 1887, and one of the most powerful political figure in New York City as the head of Tammany Hall. In it's early years, the City was growing as was the need for the Fire Service. Edward Croker proved to be a great firefighter and through his career, a great leader. January 22nd 1892, Croker was promoted to Battalion Chief. May 1, 1899 he was appointed Acting Chief of Department and June 29, 1899 named Chief of Department. Many thought Croker's ties with Tammany Hall was a stepping stone, potentially to Mayor. Croker denied any ambition with the following stirring words:

“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the firefighter has to do believe that his is a noble calling. There is an adage which says that, "Nothing can be destroyed except by fire." We strive to preserve from destruction the wealth of the world which is the product of the industry of men, necessary for the comfort of both the rich and the poor. We are defenders from fires of the art which has beautified the world, the product of the genius of men and the means of refinement of mankind. (But, above all; our proudest endeavor is to save lives of men-the work of God Himself. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even at the supreme sacrifice. Such considerations may not strike the average mind, but they are sufficient to fill to the limit our ambition in life and to make us serve the general purpose of human society.”

Chief Croker did his best to modernize his department, donating the 1st motorized chief's car and attempted to streamline communications between firemen during emergencies.

He was an outspoken advocate of improving fire safety throughout the city's commercial and residential buildings. He warned that many of the buildings around the city that housed manufacturing operations were disasters waiting to happen. In 1894, he testified before the Tenement House committee that a fatal fire was due in part to "the combustible nature of the building and it's open construction." His unheeded warnings were personified on March 25th 1911 at the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. After the Triangle Waist Factory Fire, suspecting that he could do little to advance his cause within the politicized tangle of government red tape, Croker turned over his command to Deputy Chief John Kenlon at 8:00AM. Edward F. Croker served twelve years the Chief of the New York City Fire Department and for twenty-seven years as an active fireman. Croker’s twenty-seven years of service had seen the administration of twenty-two Commissioners. Croker spent the next 40 years in fire prevention, his company was a leader in Fire Prevention and exists today. (https://www.crokerfiredrill.com/ ). In 1914, Croker built a completely fireproof house in Long Beach which still stands today at 116 Lindell Blvd corner of West Penn Street. This was said to be the 1st of it's kind. His house warming party was covered by the New York Times. According to the Times' story, Croker brought all of his guests to the 2nd floor of his home, where the walls, floors and rafters were made of cement, the doors, trimmings and furniture of metal and interestingly enough, the carpets and furniture coverings of asbestos. He poured a few gallons of gasoline into the room, lit a match then shut the room's metal door and dined with his guests in the next room. The fire was confined to the room and beyond a reported crack in the metal wire of the room's window, the room remained undamaged.

In the wee hours of the morning on Thursday June 9th, 2016, a 19 year old London tourist couldn't sleep, so he left his place of stay in Jersey City with the intention of heading to the City that never sleeps. He made his way to the Newport Yacht Club & Marina, where he walked out onto a floating dock, but the dock broke free, sending him into the New York Harbor. Initially, his cell phone was wet and unable to operate, but after 2 hours, the stranded tourist was able to call for help. NYC 911 system entered his information in and started the Emergency response, but the call dropped before being connected to FDNY. But the FDNY Dispatchers didn't sit back and wait, in an aggressive attempt to pinpoint the caller, the dispatchers conducted a 10-7 (Verify call back). Once connected to the stranded tourist, our dispatchers kept him on the line, while guiding Marine 1 & 6. "Marine 6 to Manhattan, does this boat have a little white light?", was asked on Manhattan frequency when they found something small floating in the rough waters near Liberty Island. Both boats arrived and the tourst was loaded onto the small boat and transported to Battery Park Pier A, where EMS was waiting their arrival. A combination effort between FDNY Dispatchers and Marine Division led to the sucessful rescue of this individual. Taking pride in your response area is something members of the FDNY take seriously. The Marine Division know's the City's waterways, they traverse them daily taking in the conditions for their size up. Every fire company conducts inspections and familiarization drills in their administrative districts. Our Fire Dispatchers also have a relatively good knowlege of the boro they are assigned to. From the office, they must monitor changing weather and traffic conditions. The dispatcher who placed the 10-7, knew the strong waters of the New York Harbor, and knew that if it was outgoing tide, the victim would be out in the Atlantic Ocean in no time. At the end of the day, it is all in a day's work. Another life saved by the FDNY.

2 weeks ago, I had the week of my life. It started with the Answer the Call 2016 Soiree, the NYC Firefighter & Police Widows & Children's fund benefit ( https://www.facebook.com/AnswerTheCallNYC/?fref=ts ). We were asked to attend and gladly accepted. In addition to helping such an awesome foundation, I had the opportunity to meet my childhood hero Mark Messier. It was only Tuesday and I thought to myself, this is it, the highest point possible of the week, even year. I had no idea what was in store for me later on

That Saturday started out as a typical day tour in Midtown, not a second to enjoy a cup of coffee to start the tour before the tones went off and computer spit out our assignment. At around 11, I got a phone call that a visitor would be stopping by, but, as usual, we were finishing up another run. When we made it back to the firehouse, Tim Hogan, his wife and 2 children were there waiting. Tim, now Lieutenant, was a firefighter in Brooklyn 2 years ago when we 1st met (via facebook). NYC Fire Wire was contacted about a firefighter whose family was going through a difficult time. In early 2013, Tim's son Owen was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. Aplastic Anemia is a disorder in which the body stops producing blood cells. It can result in fatigue, easy bruising, poor clotting and impair the body's ability to fight infection. Owen's aplastic anemia is life threatening. We (NYC Fire Wire) were prepared to do what ever it took. While Owen stole my heart, I was also concerned for Tim and his wife Kathleen. As a parent, I could only imagine what they were going through. We used Fire Wire, whether it was for the little things like prayers, facebook comments for words of encouragement, or anything. I was finally in contact with Tim and able to offer whatever was in our power. We were successful in everything we did. That Saturday, I was not only suprised by their visit, but also to learn that this June 2016 marks 6 months since Owen was under the microscope. 6 months since he had any treatment, needles, anything!

The Little things: Tim said that Owen was a brave warrior through the whole thing. He battled Cancer like a 3am fire with people trapped; he went head first and didn't quit until the fire was out. But when he was scared, he found his support in a video. He downloaded an app called "Whopping Fire Trucks" and there was a video of Engine 54 going on a run. As they were pulling out, they noticed someone recording them, so the nozzle & back-up man gave each other thumbs up and a high five. At the moment, it was just an innocent quirky thing, but Owen saw it and immediately loved it. When ever he was scared, Tim played the video for Owen, and they would high five each other and give each other a thumbs up, and Owen was ready to go into battle with his parents backing him up. (There is soooo many video's of 54/4 responding, I'm having trouble finding the video on youtube to show you.)

During Owen's visit to the firehouse, I made sure he had a great time because I just had to see that smile on his face. We played in the rig and Owen and his brother Ethan got to hit Tim and I with the extinguisher. We even got to do the thumbs up, high five that he saw in the video.

Sunday May 29th, 2016: During a service at St. Patricks Cathedral on 5th Avenue, FDNY Retired Captain Thomas Colucci was ordained into priesthood. And, without question, his brothers and sisters of the FDNY came out to support him. Captain Colucci served with the FDNY for 20 years, starting his career in Kingsbridge assigned to Engine 81. After 5 years in the Engine he crossed the floor to Tower Ladder 46 and 4 years later was promoted to Lieutenant, assigned to Engine 3. On 9/11/01, 5 members from Colucci's house (Engine 3/Tower Ladder 12/Battalion 7), never made it back. Lt Colucci spent months at Ground Zero searching for his brothers. Following 9/11, the department underwent a major restructuring, rebuilding of the department to replace the brothers lost. In May 2002, Colucci was promoted to Captain and found his new home in Tower Ladder 21. Ladder 21 lost all members working on 9/11/01. Over the next few years, Captain Colucci worked with brave men to mend broken hearts, dealing with the loss of their bothers while continuing to do the duty of protecting Hells Kitchen on Manhattan's West Side. After 20 years on the job, Captain Colucci had to retire after he suffered a brain injury from an explosion he was at. Colucci says his decision to enter Priesthood was made in response to everything he saw on 9/11. "On 9/11 you saw the worst of humanity; then you saw the best. People say 'Where was Christ that day'; I think he was there in rescuers".

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Shortly after 8pm, Brooklyn box 1251 was transmitted as a 5-7 signal for EMS Rescue, Squad 1 & Tower Ladder 105 assigned to 841 Union Street between 6 & 7th Aves. Upon arrival, Squad 1 found a 4 year old child in cardiac arrest in an elevator shaft. The child got away from the family, slipped in a 10 inch gap between the elevator and the floor, and fell 3 stories. EMS 48boy, 48rescue, Conditions 32 and 48willie responded and transported the child to Methodist Hospital. Local media is reporting the child is listed in critical condition.

Kevin McNamara, a New York City firefighter who is in the business of saving lives, is now looking for the guardian angel who saved his.

On Jan. 25, while vacationing at Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, Pennsylvania, he was approached by a dermatologist — "a redhead or strawberry blond" — who noticed a nasty looking mole on his back and told him he should see a doctor.

McNamara took her advice and was diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer. Because he acted so quickly and had the mole removed, the 42-year-old father has a healthy future.

"I had a guardian angel that day," said McNamara, a fire chief at the 4th Battalion in Manhattan. "This could have possibly been a disaster and I have two young kids.

"I would love to just give her a great thanks and a hug," he told TODAY.

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